Hey, Y'all,
Today's RST is short but solid; gotta remember to make it a point to remember, 'cause Lord knows we're prone to amnesia (or maybe it's just me again :-)
"Take heed, and guard your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your mind and heart all the days of your life. Teach them to your children and your children's children..."
Deuteronomy 4:9
There are so many things to chew on in this passage--here're a few:
"Guard your soul diligently" -- half-hearted (or actual disregard in my) efforts will not suffice as we do have an Adversary and his greatest joy is our misery.
"Take heed...lest you forget" -- yeah, 'cause that never happens.
"Lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your mind and heart" -- this is the crux of the matter: He's been mighty good to me, I've seen it with my own eyes, yet how often does that fact "depart from my mind and heart" (interesting too how it addresses both my logical and emotional ways of remembering).
"Teach them to your children and your children's children..." -- no greater joy, no greater responsibility.
So there you go--any thoughts?
"Take heed, and guard your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your mind and heart all the days of your life. Teach them to your children and your children's children..."
You've been prayed for today...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Action, Not Words
Hey, Y'all,
Today's RST is based on a powerful thought of Max Lucado's -- I'd never thought of this passage in quite this way before.
Genesis 3:21 has been called 'the first gospel sermon,' preached not by preachers, but by God himself. And not in words, but in symbol and action.
'The LORD God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and clothed them.'
God covered them. He protected them.
Love always does.
Made me think immediately of Psalm 91 -- to say nothing of the innumerable other passages describing the Lord's relentless love and actual affection for us, yes, even to the point of covering us and our shortcomings. Reminds me yet again --I don't get tired of this visual -- of the prodigal's father and His reaction to his son's appearance on the horizon (Luke 15:20):
'But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.'
Yep, consistent is our God; it's 'the first gospel sermon,' reiterated, and again, not in words, but in powerful symbol and unmistakable action. God is entirely too good to me, to you.
You've been prayed for today...
Today's RST is based on a powerful thought of Max Lucado's -- I'd never thought of this passage in quite this way before.
Genesis 3:21 has been called 'the first gospel sermon,' preached not by preachers, but by God himself. And not in words, but in symbol and action.
'The LORD God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and clothed them.'
God covered them. He protected them.
Love always does.
Made me think immediately of Psalm 91 -- to say nothing of the innumerable other passages describing the Lord's relentless love and actual affection for us, yes, even to the point of covering us and our shortcomings. Reminds me yet again --I don't get tired of this visual -- of the prodigal's father and His reaction to his son's appearance on the horizon (Luke 15:20):
'But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.'
Yep, consistent is our God; it's 'the first gospel sermon,' reiterated, and again, not in words, but in powerful symbol and unmistakable action. God is entirely too good to me, to you.
You've been prayed for today...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Delight, Petitions
Hey, Y'all,
So I ran across this text and a funny thing happened: I read it, but it didn't sit well with me; so I read it again, and interestingly, I heard something different when I read it that second time.
Here's the text:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4
In all honesty it annoyed me a little bit that first time through. I think we're all big boys and girls and know that it's patently absurd to chronically expect to get what we want; sounded a little too "God is Santa Claus" to me. So I read it again (a couple of times :-) and this is what it sounded like:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will change the desires of your heart."
So I read it again:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will change the desires of your heart."
And once more:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will change the desires of your heart."
That kind of made me sit up a little straighter. He will, wait, He has, He does, give me the desires of my heart. It's entirely possible that if I'm still thinking that I'd be better off with a giant estate or a better car, I can't quite see it that way. Maybe my desires need refining (or outright correction).
Another version of the text says that He'll give me "the secret petitions of my heart" if I find in Him my delight. Which got me thinking: what does that look like? How do I delight myself in the Lord? And is it possible that I've already received those "petitions of my heart" (and more) but I am only truly aware of it when He's actively influencing my understanding of "reality"? And what do I have rattling around in that part of my heart? What do I need to discuss further with Him? What (else) does He need to be made Lord over?
How 'bout you? Anything come to mind?
You've been prayed for today...
So I ran across this text and a funny thing happened: I read it, but it didn't sit well with me; so I read it again, and interestingly, I heard something different when I read it that second time.
Here's the text:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4
In all honesty it annoyed me a little bit that first time through. I think we're all big boys and girls and know that it's patently absurd to chronically expect to get what we want; sounded a little too "God is Santa Claus" to me. So I read it again (a couple of times :-) and this is what it sounded like:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will change the desires of your heart."
So I read it again:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will change the desires of your heart."
And once more:
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will change the desires of your heart."
That kind of made me sit up a little straighter. He will, wait, He has, He does, give me the desires of my heart. It's entirely possible that if I'm still thinking that I'd be better off with a giant estate or a better car, I can't quite see it that way. Maybe my desires need refining (or outright correction).
Another version of the text says that He'll give me "the secret petitions of my heart" if I find in Him my delight. Which got me thinking: what does that look like? How do I delight myself in the Lord? And is it possible that I've already received those "petitions of my heart" (and more) but I am only truly aware of it when He's actively influencing my understanding of "reality"? And what do I have rattling around in that part of my heart? What do I need to discuss further with Him? What (else) does He need to be made Lord over?
How 'bout you? Anything come to mind?
You've been prayed for today...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
In The Arena?
Hey, Y'all,
Today's thought is not, at first blush, obviously spiritual, but I'm reminded of the quote that states that "Truth is Truth, even if you find it waiting for you in an unlikely place." I'm convinced that our God is big enough to reach us in unconventional ways. So here we go -- words to live by indeed:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Reminded me of something we discussed in church this past Sabbath -- the principle that rarely (if ever) does anything of any real significance come about by happenstance; nothing meaningful ever happens by accident. We must be deliberate, we must be intentional, if we expect to achieve anything of value, and this is doubly so in the spiritual arena where we are at all times (aware of it or not) in conflict with an Adversary whose primary goal is to disrupt our pursuit of genuine and meaningful interaction, of relationship if you will, with Our God.
Today's thought is not, at first blush, obviously spiritual, but I'm reminded of the quote that states that "Truth is Truth, even if you find it waiting for you in an unlikely place." I'm convinced that our God is big enough to reach us in unconventional ways. So here we go -- words to live by indeed:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Reminded me of something we discussed in church this past Sabbath -- the principle that rarely (if ever) does anything of any real significance come about by happenstance; nothing meaningful ever happens by accident. We must be deliberate, we must be intentional, if we expect to achieve anything of value, and this is doubly so in the spiritual arena where we are at all times (aware of it or not) in conflict with an Adversary whose primary goal is to disrupt our pursuit of genuine and meaningful interaction, of relationship if you will, with Our God.
So that's the deal; are you going to strive valiantly, yes, even erring and coming up short again and again? Or are you going to sleepwalk, or sit on the sidelines, or worse still, be one who critiques those in the arena? You are either one, or the other. Make your choice.
You've been prayed for today...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Human Whisperer
Hey, Y'all,
Today's RST comes to us from the newer (and much cuter :-) half of this blog's writing tandem. Enjoy!
So one day I was at home doing laundry and I had an RST because of a bulldog on TV. It's true. I was watching the Dog Whisperer. For those of you who don't know about him, he's that guy on the National Geographic Channel (Cesar Millan) who is able to make 'death-row' dogs behave in shockingly short amounts of time and with methods that wouldn't occur to us average, non-dog-whisperer types.
On this particular show, The Dog Whisperer took a whacked-out Bulldog (who was snarling and nipping at everyone, even his family, for no good reason) and had him whipped in one day. He didn't put the dog on a chain and jerk him around. He didn't even kick him. He just forced him to the ground and held him still a few times whenever he got out of line. That's it.
The Dog Whisperer is surprisingly philosophical about what he does. He explained what he did for the dog by saying: 'The dog doesn't want to be out of control. He doesn't like that feeling. When I remind him that I am above him by holding him down and keeping him still, he becomes secure and calms down.'
What The Dog Whisperer said reminded me of the way some of my newborn patients fuss and cry--for no good reason--until I swaddle them up tight: then they fall right to sleep or start to quietly look around. They weren't hungry or in need of a diaper change. They just needed to feel right.
So...what about me? If dogs need a pack leader and babies need to feel held, what do I need in order to feel right? I think it's easy to negate and minimize the parameters that God puts on us; like keeping one day just for Him, not being fake, not being immoral...yet I'm starting to realize that all of those things (there are only 10 anyway) are exactly what we need to feel...well...swaddled.
It might be appropriate for us (like the bulldog) to realize that there's someone above us. We don't have to. But maybe, just maybe, He said (and did) what he said (and did) because he knows us like the Dog Whisperer knows dogs. Guess that makes God the Human Whisperer?
"Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and your children after you..." Deuteronomy 4:39, 40
You've been prayed for today...
Today's RST comes to us from the newer (and much cuter :-) half of this blog's writing tandem. Enjoy!
So one day I was at home doing laundry and I had an RST because of a bulldog on TV. It's true. I was watching the Dog Whisperer. For those of you who don't know about him, he's that guy on the National Geographic Channel (Cesar Millan) who is able to make 'death-row' dogs behave in shockingly short amounts of time and with methods that wouldn't occur to us average, non-dog-whisperer types.
On this particular show, The Dog Whisperer took a whacked-out Bulldog (who was snarling and nipping at everyone, even his family, for no good reason) and had him whipped in one day. He didn't put the dog on a chain and jerk him around. He didn't even kick him. He just forced him to the ground and held him still a few times whenever he got out of line. That's it.
The Dog Whisperer is surprisingly philosophical about what he does. He explained what he did for the dog by saying: 'The dog doesn't want to be out of control. He doesn't like that feeling. When I remind him that I am above him by holding him down and keeping him still, he becomes secure and calms down.'
What The Dog Whisperer said reminded me of the way some of my newborn patients fuss and cry--for no good reason--until I swaddle them up tight: then they fall right to sleep or start to quietly look around. They weren't hungry or in need of a diaper change. They just needed to feel right.
So...what about me? If dogs need a pack leader and babies need to feel held, what do I need in order to feel right? I think it's easy to negate and minimize the parameters that God puts on us; like keeping one day just for Him, not being fake, not being immoral...yet I'm starting to realize that all of those things (there are only 10 anyway) are exactly what we need to feel...well...swaddled.
It might be appropriate for us (like the bulldog) to realize that there's someone above us. We don't have to. But maybe, just maybe, He said (and did) what he said (and did) because he knows us like the Dog Whisperer knows dogs. Guess that makes God the Human Whisperer?
"Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and your children after you..." Deuteronomy 4:39, 40
You've been prayed for today...
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Law Of The Garbage Truck
Hey, Y'all,
Today's thought arrives to us via Dena (thanks!) and, as usual, I'm quite sure it only applies to me (he says, tongue firmly in cheek :-)
How often do you let other people affect your mood negatively? Do you let a bad driver, a rude waiter, a curt boss (or an insensitive employee) ruin your day? Unless you're a robot, for at least an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a godly person is how quickly she/he can get back her/his focus on what's truly important.
Five years ago I vividly (re)learned this lesson in the back of a taxi in Chicago. I hopped in the cab and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and just missed the other car by mere inches!
At this point, the driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us (and showing us the one-fingered salute). My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. I mean, he was really, honestly, friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained, 'Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage--full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people. Just leave it and move on.'
Sounds a lot like the second half of Romans 12 which is chock-full of practical advice on how we ought to live with one another (here's a taste, but check it out for yourself!):
Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Share with God's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud...do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends...On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...
And it concludes with my second-favorite verse (v.21) of this passage, a killer summary statement if ever there was one:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Oh, and you were wondering about my favorite verse here? It's v.12--also words to live by if ever there were any, especially in the application of this lesson:
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
You've been prayed for today...
Today's thought arrives to us via Dena (thanks!) and, as usual, I'm quite sure it only applies to me (he says, tongue firmly in cheek :-)
How often do you let other people affect your mood negatively? Do you let a bad driver, a rude waiter, a curt boss (or an insensitive employee) ruin your day? Unless you're a robot, for at least an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a godly person is how quickly she/he can get back her/his focus on what's truly important.
Five years ago I vividly (re)learned this lesson in the back of a taxi in Chicago. I hopped in the cab and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and just missed the other car by mere inches!
At this point, the driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us (and showing us the one-fingered salute). My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. I mean, he was really, honestly, friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained, 'Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage--full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people. Just leave it and move on.'
Sounds a lot like the second half of Romans 12 which is chock-full of practical advice on how we ought to live with one another (here's a taste, but check it out for yourself!):
Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Share with God's people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be proud...do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends...On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...
And it concludes with my second-favorite verse (v.21) of this passage, a killer summary statement if ever there was one:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Oh, and you were wondering about my favorite verse here? It's v.12--also words to live by if ever there were any, especially in the application of this lesson:
Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer.
You've been prayed for today...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
More Interested In My Character
Hey, Y'all,
Today's thought is from PurposeDrivenLife.com and reminds me of something I recently read and saved (to follow as another post, of course :-)
"Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than He is in anything else. Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settle for so-called personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like Himself before He returns. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny."
Kind of gets you thinking: He is far more interested in building my (eternal) character than in my (short-term) comfort. Hmmm...
You've been prayed for today...
Today's thought is from PurposeDrivenLife.com and reminds me of something I recently read and saved (to follow as another post, of course :-)
"Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God is far more interested in building your character than He is in anything else. Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God's great purposes and settle for so-called personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism, not discipleship. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like Himself before He returns. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny."
Kind of gets you thinking: He is far more interested in building my (eternal) character than in my (short-term) comfort. Hmmm...
You've been prayed for today...
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